Philippines
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Today I Follow, Tomorrow I Lead
Christian was born on December 12, 1997, the eldest among nine siblings. His father works as a street cleaner.…
Hans and his campaign against discrimination
Hans is the Senior Programme Manager for SPARK! Philippines which stands for Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa R…
Girls Advocacy Alliance alarmed over cases of violence against women and children amid quarantines, calls for gender-responsive approach to COVID-19
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Girls Advocacy Alliance, a group of non-government organizations promoting equal rig…
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
Family, the smallest unit of society. A group of people who against all odds protect, love, and care for one a…
Our work in the Philippines
Working to survive
Children have to work at a young age to help the family. Or are sexually exploited and sold like stuff. Sexual exploitation is a big problem. In tourism but also online. We fight against child exploitation in the Philippines.
We offer children a safe place, education, medical help and legal support. We help arrest and prosecute perpetrators. We take action with governments and educate communities about children's rights.
Child labor in the Philippines
More than 3.2 million children work in the Philippines. Barely ten percent of these children also go to school. While education is the way out of poverty.
Most of the children work in the informal sector. They are exploited as street vendors, domestic helpers or in agriculture. Children work long hours and are exposed to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. For example in dangerous mines, even under water.
We fight against child labor in the Philippines. We work together with parties that also fight against child exploitation. These are often local organizations that know the children's environment well.
We also work with companies and the local government to improve the safety and education of children who work there. We are campaigning to make the disadvantages of child labor clear. So that fewer children are exploited.
Sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation of children is a rapidly growing problem. Child sex tourists from all parts of the world visit the Philippines. Online child abuse in particular is on the rise. There is also internet in the Philippines. And people search online for sex with children.
We fight against (online) sexual exploitation by, for example, scaring sex tourists with the virtual Filipino girl Sweetie. We actively track down perpetrators and work closely with the police to arrest and convict them.
We provide medical care and legal support to victims of sexual exploitation. We help them with education, so that they learn a trade. And offer them the opportunity to find other work.
We educate communities and help institutions to pay more attention to children. We urge the government to better comply with laws. Stop the exploitation of children in the Philippines. Join the fight.
Child trafficking and unsafe migration
Children from poor families are most likely to be exploited. They run a great risk of being traded. The estimated number of trafficked children ranges from 20,000 to 100,000.
Traders worldwide are gaining the trust of children and families with beautiful talk. They promise to have a better life elsewhere. In the meantime they are being exploited.
Many of these children come from poor areas such as Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and the slums of large cities. They are forced to work. In the household, brothels, bars, factories, on plantations or in the household. These children are also extremely vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
Our programmes
Sexual exploitation of children in Asia
Many children in Asia live in poverty. They are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Tourists book holidays to h…
Child abuse in Asia
Many girls in Asia are violently abused. In many regions, it is practically the norm to marry children. Often…
Girls Advocacy Alliance
The Girls Advocacy Alliance is committed to fighting violence against girls and young women and increasing the…
Our partners in the Philippines
Together with experienced partners we are working towards a world without child exploitation, where young people can feel safe today and better about tomorrow. Join our fight.
SPARK! Philippines
ECLIPSE Inc.
Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc.
Children's Legal Bureau
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